There are many misconceptions and myths regarding male reproductive health and male erections. However, we have asked doctors and have listed the top 5 facts about male erections that you might not have known. Keep reading to learn more.
- The penis isn’t a bone, but it can break
Can you believe that there are still men who believe that the penis is a bone? And they say it is the reason ‘it’s called a boner’… Oh well, yeah, the penis is not a bone nor is it a muscle.
The penis is made up of only three cylindrical chambers of tissues. These tissues are like sponges if you will. Now, these tissues (and cells, actually) get filled up with blood when a man has sexual arousal.
Of course, the brain sends a signal to the heart to pump blood towards your penis, then the chambers of tissues will get flooded by blood and they expand and get you the erection you adore.
Now be careful with your penis here because although it is not a bone, it can still break. When there’s enough pressure on the penis or you curve it too hard, the tissues could tear apart.
- You have erections during sleep
Yes, male beings have erections throughout the night when they sleep. And no, this does not necessarily mean the man in question is having dreams about having sex. That is just a myth.
Having an erection during sleep hours is a normal part of male biology. This actually shows how healthy the man is because having an erection during sleep time is an indication that his blood pumps well right to the penis.
Getting night erections is fairly common and happens during several sleep cycles. According to an article published on the University of Newcastle website, men get as many as five erections per night.
Each erection may last as long as 30 minutes, but the duration depends on sleep quality and may not happen daily.
This shows that his blood vessels do really carry blood properly. The erections can happen during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and the typical man may experience having an erection up to 5 times during his sleep.
Some researchers are not exactly certain if there are other reasons for a man’s erections during sleep, but all in all, this is just a natural (and very normal) part of his biology.
- Male foetuses can have an erection
Yep, while still being in the mum’s belly, male foetuses can have an erection, too. Of course, as you have just now understood, this is just a natural part of the baby’s biological workings.
If anything, it is a good sign to see a male baby have erections some 1-3 times within a given hour. This typically happens during the third trimester of a woman’s pregnancy and when there is a change in the blood flow.
Sometimes, when there are contractions in the pelvic area, the baby can also show himself to have an erect penis. This is called foetal erection and has been recognised in the last two decades.
Still, all in all, health experts are still not sure if there are other things that could explain further this phenomenon. As such, further studies on male foetuses are still being conducted to fully understand their incredible biological workings.
- Erectile dysfunction affects a younger age demographic now
Back in the day, we used to think of erectile dysfunction as an illness that affects old men specifically. Well, in reality, it was not exactly like that all the time.
An article titled “How does age affect erectile dysfunction?” mentions that younger men are increasingly suffering from ED.
Why is this so? Additional lifestyle factors, per the Medical News Today publication, are propagating this new trend. Stress, excessive weight, and chronic diseases continue to plunger younger males.
First off, you need to understand that erectile dysfunction itself is not a medical ailment in itself. Some experts have suggested that erectile dysfunction itself is only a by-product of other existing ailments.
In effect, erectile dysfunction does happen in younger men, even as young as 20 years of age. The condition is mostly temporary and does go away on its own without the need for medical intervention.
Usually, trouble at work or interpersonal issues cause a young man to experience erectile dysfunction.
However, in the last decade alone, health experts are seeing more and more cases of persistent erectile dysfunction in a younger age demographic. Stress, depression and extreme fatigue are among the typical causes.
- The average erection length is 5 inches
Yes, so those of you who feel bad about yourself because you’re not a 6-inches, you really need to stop that. The average guy has somewhere between 5.1 to 5.5 inches of penis length when it is erect.
Meaning, that there are people who are also under that number.
And if you need to know it all, people who are 6 inches are indeed in the category of ‘well-endowed’ but although that sounds amazing to you, just know that being a 5-inches guy means you are not ‘small’.
That’s average and that is good enough. Also, important to note is that a guy’s penis size is really not everything in sex. More important is whether or not you can use your penis well.
Even more important is whether or not you can make an emotional connection with your partner. A man’s erection size does not define his character.
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- ED could point to serious condition
Erectile Dysfunction is usually the inability of the penis to perform its duty well. Yet this condition could also point to serious issues beyond the groin.
Any condition that interferes with the free hormonal reaction, muscular tissues, or nervous system could manifest as an ED. But since the body is interlinked, the epicenter of this problem may lie anywhere in your body.
An article titled “Erectile Dysfunction (impotence),” states that ED could be as a result on physical, mental or medical issues.
The National Hospital Services publication notes that treatment works by tackling the root cause. Narrowing of the blood path heading to the penis is the most prominent cause of ED,
Thus it’s not uncommon to implicate a heart disease when diagnosing the source of the ED. The heart also depends on nerves and veins to deliver sufficient blood to the organ. So when this isn’t the case, problems arise.
Insulin resistance and blood sugar malfunctions relate to hormonal and nervous conditions. When you are suffering from diabetes, it could spread these deficiencies to the reproductive system.
Besides, high concentrations of cholesterol negatively impact the smooth muscle tissues, by depositing plaques along the path. This situation could restrict the free flow of blood.
Your ED may thus be related to the issues above.
- ED stress is real
You become bothered when you can’t perform well sexually. But this condition also results in other problems that worsen this situation.
When you are conscious about not performing well due to ED, you develop anxiety each time your partner seeks intimacy. The more you worry about whether you’ll attain an erection, the less you are likely to get it.
The condition affects your mind and could even make your sex averse. It’s known as psychogenic ED. It’s characterized by a sporadic onset of ED.
The main triggers are stress, depression, and marital issues. You become anxious due to performance pressure and the feeling of guilt about the potential shortcoming during intimacy.
You even conclude that your partner could leave due to this sexual shortcoming. All these thoughts only reinforce your doubts about the outcome. Yet each cycle makes the next occurrence worse.
Instead of withdrawing and feeling guilty, you could discuss this situation with your partner or doctor.
In conclusion, we provided five facts about male erections that people might not be aware of. We hope that reading these erection facts can help you increase your knowledge associated with male anatomy and help you understand male erections.
SIMILAR QUESTION
How Many Hours Can A Guy Stay Hard?
Introduction
Erectile dysfunction is a common problem that affects men of all ages. It is the inability to get or maintain an erection for long enough to engage in sexual activity. As a result, men may be concerned about how long they can stay hard. This paper aims to provide an overview of the various factors that can affect the duration of an erection and the potential strategies to help people stay hard for longer.
Factors That Affect How Long A Guy Can Stay Hard
There are a variety of factors that can affect how long a guy can stay hard. These include physical and psychological factors, as well as lifestyle choices.
Physical factors include age, health conditions, and medications. As men age, their testosterone levels decline, leading to decreased erectile function. Certain medical conditions can also affect erectile function. For example, diabetes can cause nerve damage and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the penis. Additionally, certain medications can interfere with sexual function, such as medications for high blood pressure, antidepressants, and antihistamines.
Psychological factors can also play a role in erectile dysfunction. Anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship issues can all contribute to diminished sexual performance.
Lifestyle choices can also affect erectile function. Smoking, drinking alcohol, using recreational drugs, and being overweight can all reduce blood flow to the penis, leading to reduced erectile function.
How To Stay Hard Longer
There are a variety of strategies that people can use to help them stay hard longer. These include lifestyle changes, medications, and psychological interventions.
Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, and exercising regularly, can help improve erectile function. Additionally, eating a balanced diet, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep can help improve overall health and potentially enhance sexual performance.
Medications, such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, can also help improve erectile function. These medications work by increasing blood flow to the penis, allowing for stronger, longer-lasting erections.
Finally, psychological interventions, such as talking to a therapist or sex counselor, can help address underlying psychological issues that may be contributing to erectile dysfunction.
Conclusion
Overall, there is no single answer to the question of how long a guy can stay hard. The duration of an erection can vary depending on individual factors, such as age, health conditions, lifestyle choices, and psychological factors. There are a variety of strategies that people can use to help them stay hard longer, such as lifestyle changes, medications, and psychological interventions.
